2023 Summer Buying Sh

Philadelphia—known as the City of Brotherly Love—will serve as the host for RJO's Summer Buying Show at the end of July. The metro Philly area comprises a population of nearly 1.6 million, and the city is home to two dozen Fortune 500 companies, including Comcast, GSK (Glaxosmithkline), Rite Aid, and PNC Financial Services Group.

Philly has more than 2,000 outdoor murals, earning itself the title of “mural capital of the U.S.” It is a city of many American firsts, including the first zoo (the Philadelphia Zoo), hospital (The Pennsylvania Hospital, founded by Benjamin Franklin), and medical school. It also is the home of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Philadelphia has served as a location for a number of movies, including Rocky, Creed, Trading Places, The Sixth Sense, The Italian Job, National Treasure, and of course the award-winning Tom Hanks film Philadelphia. Philly is also the birthplace for a number of famous people, including NBA greats Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant; comedian Kevin Hart; actress Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco; actors Richard Gere, Kevin Bacon, and Jack Klugman; singers Marian Anderson, Billie Holiday, Jim Croce, and Frankie Avalon; magician Teller (of Penn and Teller); and Larry Fine (of The Three Stooges).

We’ve put together some preliminary information about the Buying Show's host hotel and city. We hope it helps you start your preparations for July.

A Quick Cheat Sheet to Philadelphia

Laws to follow:

— You cannot sing in the bathtub in Philadelphia

— No more than 16 women may live together under one roof

Words to know:

— Woodar (water)

— Jawn (literally means any noun). ”Jawn” is a slang term local to Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley that may refer to a thing, place, person, or event, substituting for a specific name.

— Greasy pole (a tall pole made slippery with grease, making it difficult to climb).

Songs to play:

Let’s ignore Philadelphia Freedom, Elton John’s love letter to his friend Billie Jean King and her professional women's tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. Instead let’s focus on these classics of “The Philly Sound:”

The O’Jays – Love Train

The Delfonics – La-La (Means I Love You)

Patti Labelle – Love Need and Want You

The Spinners – The Rubberband Man

The Stylistics – Betcha By Golly Wow

Billy Paul – Me and Mrs. Jones

Lou Rawls – You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – If You Don’t Know Me By Now